Christmas donations surpass Salvation Army goal

Hannibal area residents donated $87,507 during the 2012 Hannibal Salvation Army Tree of Lights Christmas campaign, surpassing the $75,000 goal by more than $10,000.

Bev Darrbev.darr@courierpost.com

Hannibal area residents donated $87,507 during the 2012 Hannibal Salvation Army Tree of Lights Christmas campaign, surpassing the $75,000 goal by more than $10,000. The Hannibal Salvation Army provided Christmas food baskets for 269 families, and 407 children received toys. In addition to providing Christmas assistance, the donations will be used all year to provide food, rent and utilities for families in need.Salvation Army personnel are thankful for the generosity of the people. “We are so grateful and blessed that our Christmas effort has grown so tremendously,” said Elizabeth Flynn, Salvation Army regional manager of family services. “In Hannibal, we are looking forward to sharing continued growth and sharing God’s blessings.” Family Services assistance was provided to 246 people from Dec. 12, 2012, to Jan 13, 2013, and 175 people were served for the first time. In addition, more than 600 received food. The office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at 302 Broadway, the location of the Hannibal Salvation Army Family Store. Food is available from 10 a.m. to noon weekdays.Judy Barnes, a member of the local Salvation Army Advisory Council, said “the people of Northeast Missouri area have seen the productive work of the Salvation Army and have seen the needs in the communities and have generously stepped up to help those needs be met.”“Once again, the people of the community stepped forward to give at a very special time of the year to help people in need,” said John Hark, president of the Hannibal Salvation Army Advisory Council. “Thanks to them and the Good Lord, we met our goal and we will be here for another year to assist the people,” Hark said. “There’s no way we can thank the people enough for their kindness and their giving other than to simply say ‘thank you and because of you we will be able to help people meet their needs.’”Also pleased with the Christmas campaign’s success was Major Andrew Miller Jr. He and his wife, Major Cheryl Miller, became leaders of the Salvation Army in the Hannibal and Quincy, Ill., area on Feb. 6. “Thank you Lord, and thank you people of Hannibal, and surrounding communities,” he said. “Because of the generosity of the people in these communities, we will be able to continue to serve.”The Hannibal Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday through Saturday. Donations of clothing, furniture and household items are welcome. They may be delivered in the alley behind the store during store hours or can be picked up if needed, such as after a garage sale. This can be scheduled by calling Store Manager Scott Andrews, at (573) 248-8008.

Editor’s note: Bev Darr is a member of the Hannibal Salvation Army Advisory Council.